Mark Ellis ill; Rickey Henderson bobblehead tribute

A’s notes from Steve Kroner, covering today’s game for The Chronicle and SFGate.

Mark Ellis originally was in today’s starting lineup, but the second baseman is under the weather and was replaced in the lineup by Kevin Kouzmanoff, who will play third, with Andy LaRoche moving from second to third.

Today is Rickey Henderson Bobblehead Day. A’s manager Bob Geren played with and against Henderson. In his pregame news conference, Geren offered these thought Henderson:

Playing against him, I just remember all the pressure that he put on the defense, on the pitcher, on the catcher. You didn’t ever want to walk him; he had like a .400 on-base percentage. But if you just challenged him because you were worried about walking him, then he’d hit a home run against you.

So, he was, in my opinion — and I’m sure it’s many other people’s opinion, too — the best leadoff hitter of all time. I mean, without a doubt. I don’t even know who you could even make a comparison with. I don’t even know who would be in his league; that’s how much I thought of him.

And, the years, the amount of time he did this. He didn’t just do this for four or five years. He did it for decade after decade. He still looks like he could play. He’s in great shape. I enjoy being around him when he comes around the club, helps some of the younger guys. It’s a great day here to celebrate Rickey and everybody get a bobblehead of a Hall of Famer.